A year ago, an Italy team celebrated winning a European Championships in England. History may not repeat itself. If Roberto Mancini’s men tasted glory, ignominy could beckon for Milena Bertolini’s women. Even as they averted a second successive defeat, they remain threatened with early elimination. Valentina Bergamaschi denied Iceland just a second ever win at the European Championships and secured Italy a first point of this year’s tournament, but their status as bad starters, in more ways than one, could prove decisive.
Italy finished in the ascendant, looking for a winner but, both against Iceland and in the tournament, they have been hampered by disastrous beginnings. They made history in unwanted fashion by conceding five goals in the first half against France. They at least preserved parity for eight minutes then. They were trailing to Iceland before three minutes had elapsed, courtesy of Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir’s fine strike. It was only in the second half, after Bertolini made a host of changes, that a side who were quarter-finalists in the 2019 World Cup, started to look superior.
